We all have that older relative or friend who is doing okay, but doesn’t get around quite as easily, isn’t going out as much and has a growing assortment of pill bottles on the dresser, etc., all precursors to needing more help down the road. And then what? Who is going to provide this help?A family member, friend, neighbor? What if they can’t because of work, distance or other commitments? How will this senior manage at home and still be safe if they can’t remember to take their meds or don’t feel like preparing meals? Will they have to go to a facility even though they don’t really need 24/7 skilled nursing care?
Thankfully, Home Care programs are in place to address these specific situations that enable seniors to receive care in own homes and communities. The goal of home health care is to treat an illness or injury. Home care helps people get better, regain their independence, and become as self-sufficient as possible.
In general, home health care includes part-time or intermittent skilled nursing care, and other skilled care services like physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Services may also include medical social services or assistance from a home health aide. Usually, a home health care agency coordinates the services a doctor has ordered for their patient.
Examples of skilled home health services include:
- Wound Care for pressure sores or a surgical wound
- Physical and Occupational Therapy
- Speech Therapy
- Patient and Caregiver education
- Intravenous or nutrition therapy
- Injections
- Monitoring serious illness and unstable health status
Coordination of Services
Safety-proofing the home ad introduction of a personal emergency response system at home
- Scheduling doctor’s appointments and other necessary meetings
- Ambulatory service, such as transportation and an escort to and from various doctors’ appointments
- Arrangements for getting medical equipment and other supplies for home use
Examples of home health aide services include:
- Help with basic daily activities like getting in and out of bed, dressing, bathing, eating, and using the bathroom
- Help with light housekeeping, laundry, shopping, and cooking for the patient
Recipients of Home Care include those with:
- short-term medical conditions including recovering from accidents, illnesses and surgery
- chronic medical conditions requiring ongoing care and supervision such as; diabetes, emphysema, hypertension and stroke
- a need for assistance with activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, toileting, feeding and transferring).
- Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
- a terminal illness
- family and friends who require supportive or respite assistance
Of course, as with any health care services, once should check with their insurance carriers to determine the scope and specifics of their benefits and coverage.
[blockquote class=blue]For more information on Home Care, please call 914-941-1300.[/blockquote]
